Dr M-J Nancy Laguette

Junior Research Fellow

Research Thrusts

Sport & Exercise related injuries: research is focussed on the molecular mechanisms underpinning the genetic risk of musculoskeletal soft tissue injury

Academic Qualifications

PhD (Medical Cellular Biology)

Positions

  • HPALs@UCT Junior Research Fellow
  • Australia Awards-Africa collaborative postdoctoral fellow
  • Former SAWISE executive committee member: Scholarship portfolio

Research Output

Peer reviewed Publication Number: 12

Google Citations: 353

NRF rating: Y2

Scopus H-index: 6

Google H-index: 7

Google Scholar link or ORCID link

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=mrxJUo4AAAAJ

International and national research collaborations

  • Induced tendinopathy model: Drs Samiric, Rio, Docking and Profs Cook, Collins and September
  • goING consortium - Consolidation (large, combined cohorts) of genetic association studies concerned with ACL rupture genetic susceptibility research (Global: SA-HOL-SWE-POL-AUS-JPN) led by Profs September and Eynon
  • Prof Cieszczyk - Exercise science, performance, and related injuries
  • Prof Prince – Cell Biology Division, Dept. of Human Biology, FHS, UCT
  • Profs Dandara and Chimusa – Human Genetics Division, Dept. of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, FHS, UCT
  • WHO report concerned with Physical activity and People living with HIV led by Profs EV Lambert (UCT) and Leach (UWC)

Recent and noteworthy publications

  1. Feldmann, D.C., Rahim, M., Suijkerbuijk, M.A.M., Laguette, M.-J.N., Cieszczyk, P., Ficek, K., Huminska-Lisowska, K., Häger, C.K., Stattin, E., Nilsson, K.G., Alvarez-Rumero, J., Eynon, N., Feller, J., Tirosh, O., Posthumus, M., Chimusa, E.R., Collins, M., September, A.V. Investigation of multiple populations highlight VEGFA polymorphisms to modulate anterior cruciate ligament injury. (2021) Journal of Orthopaedic Research. DOI: 10.1002/jor.25192. Article in Press
  1. Chapter 11 - Epigenetic regulation and musculoskeletal injuries. Laguette M.-J.N., Suijkerbuijk, M.A.M., September, A.V. Editor(s): Stuart M. Raleigh, In Translational Epigenetics, Epigenetics of Exercise and Sports. (2021) Academic Press, 25:235-246. ISBN 9780128206829, DOI:10.1016/B978-0-12-820682-9.00003-7.
  1. Wojciechowicz, B., Laguette, M.J.N., Sawczuk, M., Humińska-Lisowska, K., Maciejewska-Skrendo, A., Ficek, K., Michałowska-Sawczyn, M., Leońska-Duniec, A., Kaczmarczyk, M., Chycki, J., Trybek, G., September, A.V., Cięszczyk, P. Are KIF6 and APOE polymorphisms associated with power and endurance athletes? (2021) European Journal of Sport Science, 21 (9), pp. 1283-1289. DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1817983. PUBMED ID: 32867607
  1. Willard, K., Laguette, M.-J.N., Alves de Souza Rios, L., D'Alton, C., Nel, M., Prince, S., Collins, M., September, A.V. Altered expression of proteoglycan, collagen and growth factor genes in a TGF-β1 stimulated genetic risk model for musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. (2020) Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23 (8), pp. 695-700. Cited 3 times. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.02.007. PUBMED ID: 32061523
  1. Laguette, M.-J.N., Barrow, K., Firfirey, F., Dlamini, S., Saunders, C.J., Dandara, C., Gamieldien, J., Collins, M., September, A.V. Exploring new genetic variants within COL5A1 intron 4-exon 5 region and TGF-β family with risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. (2020) Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 38 (8), pp. 1856-1865. DOI: 10.1002/jor.24585. PUBMED ID: 31922278
  1. Pastuszak-Lewandoska, D., Domańska-Senderowska, D., Kiszałkiewicz, J., Szmigielska, P., Snochowska, A., Ratkowski, W., Spieszny, M., Klocek, T., Godlewski, P., Cięszczyk, P., Brzeziańska-Lasota, E., September, A.V., Laguette, M.J. Expression levels of selected cytokines and microRNAs in response to vitamin D supplementation in ultra-marathon runners. (2020) European Journal of Sport Science, 20 (2), pp. 219-228. Cited 2 times. DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1635649. PUBMED ID: 31241425
  1. Lulińska-Kuklik, E., Laguette, M.-J.N., Moska, W., Weber-Rajek, M., Ficek, K., Puchala, R., Cięszczyk, P., Sawczuk, M., September, A.V., Maciejewska-Skrendo, A. Are TNC gene variants associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture susceptibility? (2019) Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22 (4), pp. 408-412. Cited 4 times. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.10.003. PUBMED ID: 30528246
  1. Domańska-Senderowska, D., Laguette, M.-J.N., Jegier, A., Cieszczyk, P., September, A.V., Brzeziańska-Lasota, E. MicroRNA Profile and Adaptive Response to Exercise Training: A Review. (2019) International Journal of Sports Medicine, 40 (4), pp. 227-235. Cited 29 times. DOI: 10.1055/a-0824-4813. PUBMED ID: 30791082
  2. Abrahams, Y., Laguette, M.-J., Prince, S., Collins, M. Polymorphisms within the COL5A1 3′-UTR That Alters mRNA Structure and the MIR608 Gene are Associated with Achilles Tendinopathy. (2013) Annals of Human Genetics, 77 (3), pp. 204-214. Cited 62 times. DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12013. PUBMED ID: 23347277
  1. Laguette, M.-J., Abrahams, Y., Prince, S., Collins, M. Sequence variants within the 3'-UTR of the COL5A1 gene alters mRNA stability: Implications for musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. (2011) Matrix Biology, 30 (5-6), pp. 338-345. Cited 60 times. DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2011.05.001. PUBMED ID: 21609763.

Grants and funding

  • Australia Awards – Africa Postdoctoral fellowship 2018: ~450,000 ZAR – includes monthly stipend, mobilisation, flights, lab bench fees and medical insurance.
  • International Collaborative Research Project grant 2016 applied with PI: 50,000 ZAR.
  • DST-NRF Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowship (Grant-holder linked) 2015-2017: 255,000 + 50,000 ZAR for lab expenses/annum.
  • UCT Conference travel grant for overseas 2016: 10,000 ZAR